RPP Feud Deepens as Spokesperson Rejects Claims That the Party’s Legal Standing Has Expired

The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) is facing another sharp internal split, this time over a far more consequential question than leadership style or election strategy: whether the party’s legal standing is still intact. RPP spokesperson Mohan Shrestha has rejected claims from General Secretary Dr. Dhawal Shamsher Rana that the party’s legitimacy has expired, arguing that the organization remains constitutionally valid.

The dispute adds fresh tension to a party already marked by visible factional friction. Rana has reportedly been preparing to form a new political party, citing what he views as the loss of RPP’s constitutional standing. Shrestha, however, has dismissed that claim and said the party’s status remains in place.

What triggered the latest conflict

The immediate spark appears to be Rana’s assertion that RPP’s legal life had ended, a claim that would be politically explosive for any major party. According to the summary provided, Shrestha responded directly by saying the party’s legitimacy is still intact and that Rana’s interpretation is wrong.

The disagreement is not happening in isolation. RPP has already been dealing with internal power struggles, public disagreements among senior leaders, and competing visions for the party’s future. Recent reports have also described a broader clash between party chair Rajendra Lingden and Rana, with both sides increasingly making their positions public.

Why this matters

If a senior leader publicly questions a party’s legal status, the fallout goes beyond internal politics. It can affect public perception, candidate loyalty, organizational discipline, and even the confidence of cadres on the ground. For a party like RPP, which has long relied on ideological cohesion and a strong identity politics message, such disputes can be especially destabilizing.

Rana’s reported move toward launching a new party suggests the dispute may be evolving from a leadership quarrel into an outright organizational break. Shrestha’s rebuttal, meanwhile, signals that the party leadership is unwilling to concede any narrative that would weaken RPP’s standing.

A party already under pressure

The latest confrontation comes against the backdrop of other controversies involving RPP figures. Previous reports have described tensions surrounding internal decision-making, public objections over party moves, and broader ideological divisions within the organization.

Rana himself has also been a central figure in earlier high-profile developments, including legal proceedings tied to the March 28 Tinkune incident. That broader context makes the current split more than just a procedural disagreement - it is part of a wider struggle over authority, legitimacy, and the direction of one of Nepal’s most closely watched parties.

What to watch next

The key question now is whether RPP can contain the fallout or whether the dispute will accelerate a formal split. If Rana proceeds with plans for a separate party, the confrontation could reshape the party’s leadership structure and force cadres to choose sides.

For now, Shrestha is drawing a hard line: RPP, in his view, is still legally alive and politically intact. Rana appears to be arguing the opposite. That contradiction is now at the center of the party’s latest and most consequential internal battle.